Nigeria women club basketball champions, First Deepwater will today face FIBA Africa defending champions, Interclube of Angola in the 17th edition of the Champions Club for women. This is after the Nigerian team got off to a fine start in the final round of the tourney.
The Oil & Gas ladies who handed down a 64-46 points’ defeat to GD Maculosso of Angola in the championship opening game on Sunday at the sports hall of the National Stadium, Lagos, will bank on its strong defensive play to rattle the defending champions.
Head coach of the Lagos based team Lateef Erinfolami said his team will not be complacent against any team as it will treat all opponents with respect. He assured that the Nigerian league champion will not lose focus in setting its eyes on the title.
“We are battle ready for any opposition and the players have promised to give their all in all the games and do Nigeria proud” declared the club tactician.
First Deepwater was spearheaded in scoring by Chinyere Ibekwe who recorded 21 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. Nigeria league reigning Queen of the court, Nkechi Akashili added 16 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists while point guard Upe Atosu contributed 10 points in the victory over Maculosso.
Nigeria second representative in the championship and two-time champion of the champions club, First Bank which walked-over INJS of Cameroon on Day-1 will file out against GD Maculosso of Angola while Kenya Ports Authority will engage INJS. The six teams in the biggest women club competition will take turn to engage each other in a round-robin basis while the top four teams move to the knockout stage.